On the heels of a big win for president-elect Donald Trump, many undocumented immigrant families are now asking what's next for them.
Nearly 11 million illegal immigrants are now living with fear that they may be separated from their loved ones if a sweep of deportation does happen as Trump has promised.
One local immigration lawyer tells KGUN9 that immigration courts are not structured to see high volume immigrant cases.
Margo Cowan, local immigration lawyer in Tucson, is now settling all anxiety and fear amongst undocumented immigrant families who woke up Wednesday morning to Donald Trump as the President-elect.
Cowan says the message now is, "There's no reason to be afraid. Everyone has the right to tell their story to a judge."
But getting to a judge is not as easy as many assume it would be. Cowan goes on to say that with the current immigration system hearings would be in 2025, 2030 even as far as 2035. Adding, "the country will come to its senses before that."
Throughout the Presidential campaign, Trump has been notorious on his stance on immigration, threatening to send back nearly 11 million illegal immigrants.
But Cowan says there's nothing to fear as illegal immigration hearings take years to process.
David Pacheco has been in the United States for nearly three decades and while he is now documented he tells KGUN 9 that he does have fears for those who are not legal United States citizens. Pacheco adds, "like many people, they are feeling scared right now."
Like many other immigrants, Pacheco says he came to the U.S for a better life - to work and to dream.
Cowan remaining faithful that communities will come together and stand for one another.
If you or anyone you know has any questions on immigration, you can head to El Pueblo Clinic every Thursday for any immigration related questions.
